Chris Buescher Wins Back-to-Back with Michigan Victory

Chris Buescher tallies the first back-to-back wins for RFK Racing’s No. 17 Ford entry since Matt Kenseth in 2009. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)

BROOKLYN, Mich. – Chris Buescher might be feeling as lucky as a slot machine player at FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek, Michigan.

The 30-year-old Prosper, Texas native won his third career NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway. Clinching a Playoffs spot, the driver of the No. 17 Castrol Edge Ford Mustang entry, fielded by RFK Racing, had one thing in mind – winning another race.

Although RFK Racing operates out of Concord, North Carolina, Roush Industries is headquartered in Livonia, Michigan. In a manner of speaking, the 2-mile Michigan International Speedway serves as a sort of home court.

On top of that, Buescher’s teammate Brad Keselowski hails from nearby Rochester Hills, Michigan. Suffice to say, there were more than 17 reasons for Buescher to win another Cup race in as many weeks.

Starting from the fourth position, Buescher dropped to 11th in Stage 1. However, he worked his way closer to the front of the pack by placing 10th in Stage 2.

Meanwhile, as the longtime Ford Performance racer carved his path up the leaderboard, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. looked like the man to beat. Truex, who started fifth, made it clear that his No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry was the class of the field.

Leading 47 laps on six different occasions, Truex swept Stages 1 and 2. The latter stage victory was impressive considering Truex’s march and last lap pass for the win over runner-up Daniel Suárez.

Rain may have dominated the first half of the 400-mile race. Once the race reached its crescendo in the final 80 laps, it was like Speed minus Dennis Hopper’s maniacal laughing.

A Lap 128 backstretch crash involving Michael McDowell, Todd Gilliland and Alex Bowman set the stage for a 68-lap frenzy in the Irish Hills. Truex, who seemingly had the race in his grasps, suddenly found himself entrenched in a pitched fight for the win against Buescher.

Chris Buescher worked some Michigan magic on Monday afternoon. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)

Different pit strategies prompted the unexpected duel between the usual championship contender and rising Cup talent. As the pit strategy cycles neared its end, Buescher was able to leapfrog ahead of Truex on the track and effectively for the lead.

For the race’s final 19 laps, Buescher and Truex looked like Officer Jack Traven and Howard Payne in their cat and mouse game. The record will show that Truex led Lap 188 in a stretch essentially belonging to Buescher.

Still, the duel proved suspenseful with Buescher doing everything he could to stave off Truex. Mostly holding onto the high lane, Buescher zigged while Truex attempted to zag on the inside.

Even after Buescher had a respite after Truex’s necessary gathering inside the final 10 laps in Turn 2, the two resumed their battle in the final five laps.

In a rarity within today’s NASCAR world, Buescher and Truex fought tenaciously but cleanly for the win. For the second race in a row, Buescher won but by a razor thin 0.152 seconds over Truex.

“I am so proud of everyone at RFK and what we have been able to accomplish these last few years,” Keselowski said. “To get it here at Ford’s home track, this one is always big. It is Jack’s home track and Brad’s home track and this is where we needed one.

“To fight for it and have such a clean race there with Truex at the end, he was really close to getting us at one point. We had to keep digging on it. I am really proud of everybody. That was awesome to put our Castrol Edge Mustang in victory lane here at Michigan and we have road courses coming up, I am really excited for those.”

RFK Racing returned to Michigan’s winner circle for the first time since 2013. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)

“I didn’t know anything,” he said. “I pitted when they told me to pit. We knew we had a fast car and were running really well. The 45 was fast too and when he had his issue we were able to get the lead and tried to make the most of clean air.

“I didn’t have a clue of what was going on around us. That was just this group right behind me here and their work to get us this spot. We started planning back on Tuesday for this race and it is really cool to see it all work out.”

“I think we just needed a little longer run,” Truex said. “I felt like we were a little better, but it is just really hard to pass the leader on equal tires. We had an unbelievable Auto Owners Toyota Camry.

“Hats off to everybody that puts the work in these things, Toyota, TRD, Bass Pro, Resers – everybody that supports us. It was a rocket. Just the leader in clean air is really, really hard to pass. We just didn’t quite have enough, but all-in-all a good day.”

Hamlin had an equally productive afternoon at Michigan. Placing eighth in Stage 1 and 11th in Stage 2, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who overcame a pit road miscue, tallied a podium finish.

“It wasn’t a whole lot different,” Hamlin said. “These conditions are cooler – cloudy, more on-throttle time, harder to pass. But that is kind of what you get here at Michigan – it’s a track position, track strategy track.”

On this occasion, Buescher and his No. 17 RFK Racing team prevailed with the best track position and strategy of the day. Unlike the Richmond win, the Prosper, Texas native showcased his might and power by leading the most laps (52) and showcasing his organization’s return as a genuine frontrunner in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Buescher put smoke in the fans’ eyes for the second time in 2023. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)

“Yeah, that is awesome,” Buescher said. “I am a Ford guy through and through and have been for a really long time. To be here in Ford’s backyard and get this done and have so many Ford folks with us here today, it is a special weekend.

“You always have a little more on your shoulders here and we bring our A game when we come here. I knew to take care of this thing during the burnout too because I want to take care of this car for the playoffs too.”

Stage 1 Top 10 Results

1. Martin Truex Jr.
2. Bubba Wallace
3. Ty Gibbs (R)
4. Brad Keselowski
5. Kyle Larson
6. Daniel Suárez
7. Alex Bowman
8. Denny Hamlin
9. Erik Jones
10. Corey LaJoie

Stage 2 Top 10 Results

1. Martin Truex Jr.
2. Daniel Suárez
3. Brad Keselowski
4. Bubba Wallace
5. Alex Bowman
6. Kyle Larson
7. Joey Logano
8. AJ Allmendinger
9. Austin Cindric
10. Chris Buescher

FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway Race Results